Embedded Files
We have recently welcomed our 100th school to join the Network!
Studies in local schools
Studies in local schools
Welcome to the studies page where you will find information about all of the studies that we currently have on offer for schools to take part in. If there is a particular study that is of interest to you or your school please get in touch with us at the wm.rrdn@nihr.ac.uk with the subject marked as SCHOOL or contact your local Research facilitator (contact information can be found on the Contact Page).
Welcome to the studies page where you will find information about all of the studies that we currently have on offer for schools to take part in. If there is a particular study that is of interest to you or your school please get in touch with us at the wm.rrdn@nihr.ac.uk with the subject marked as SCHOOL or contact your local Research facilitator (contact information can be found on the Contact Page).
We often have new studies for schools to participate in, so please revisit this page to check for the latest opportunities.
We often have new studies for schools to participate in, so please revisit this page to check for the latest opportunities.
Friendship in transition study
What is the study?
What is the study?
Researchers from Aston University want to understand young people’s perspectives on friendships in the transition from Year 6 to Year 7. Friendships are important to a young person’s experience at school and research shows that quality social connections are associated with increased wellbeing. This study aims to find out more about the experience of young people during this transition so that we can create an intervention to improve their wellbeing.
What will happen if my school decides to take part?
What will happen if my school decides to take part?
Researchers are looking for 10-30 year 7 students that would be willing to talk, draw or write about their experiences. Taking part would include a free, optional interactive wellbeing session for a Year 7 class. The sharing of children's experiences would then be conducted during PSHE, lunchtime or any other time that cause minimal disruption to the school day.
For more information please contact the lead researcher here or one of the Schools Research Network Team here.
SO.ME - SOcial MEdia measurement
What is the study?
What is the study?
The So.Me team [so-me-study.org] at the University of Manchester are in the final stages of creating a new measure (questionnaire) of social media experience for young people aged 11-15. The self-report questionnaire has been developed with young people, and will be used to identify experiences on social media that may be impacting their mental health and wellbeing.
What will happen if my school decides to take part?
What will happen if my school decides to take part?
Mainstream secondary schools are being invited to test the measure with their pupils in November – December 2025. Taking part involves testing the measure with all pupils in a minimum of two year groups from years 7-10, on a computer/tablet, during the school day (e.g., during PSHE). Schools will be provided with all the resources they need to do this.
To recognise the effort and resource required to participate, schools will receive:
Supply teacher pay for half-day to cover staff time (£150)
£50 Amazon e-voucher for lead teacher
A report detailing what we have learnt overall including a bespoke section for their school.
Follow-up webinar on to discuss the data and what this means for pupils and schools.
Traumatic Brain injury
What is the study?
What is the study?
Researchers from Coventry University want to work with individuals with brain injuries and educators or parents/carers of those with brain injuries to understand their perspectives.
What will happen if my school decides to take part?
What will happen if my school decides to take part?
Schools will simply be asked to share information with school staff and parents/carers.
For more information please contact bhellas@coventry.ac.uk or one of the Schools Research Network team here.
Public Health investigation into Vape content
What is the study?
What is the study?
The use of vapes amongst children and young people are on the rise. Whilst vapes can be seen as a healthier alternative to smoking recent research has suggested that vapes may contain substances that are harmful for children and young people's health. To understand the types of substances that are being included in vapes, often without the users knowledge, researchers from Public Health would like to analyse vape content.
What will happen if my school decides to take part?
What will happen if my school decides to take part?
Schools will be asked to donate the vapes that have been confiscated from pupils to be sent for analysis. A member of the study team will collect the vapes so that schools do not need to send the vapes or travel to deliver them. Once the vapes have been analysed, they will be destroyed, and the anonymous information collected will then be used to inform public health information and future interventions. Findings can then be shared with participating schools if they are interested.
For more information please contact hayley.sharrod-cole@nhs.net or one of the Schools Research Network team here.
Youth Loneliness Study
What is the study?
What is the study?
Current tools to understand children's loneliness have been created with very little input from children and young people. Researchers from Queen Mary University London, Manchester University and King's College London want to work with children and young people to create a new questionnaire that accurately reflects their experiences.
What will happen if my school decides to take part?
What will happen if my school decides to take part?
Schools will be asked to share information to parents/guardians and potentially asked to facilitate part of the school day where children/young people can complete the questionnaire. For schools that share information a £20 voucher will be given as a thank you. For schools that facilitate a session £150 voucher as a thank you. Children/young people will receive a £15 voucher upon completion of the questionnaire.
My Story and Me
What is the study?
What is the study?
My Story and Me is a new preventative mental health intervention for young women and girls. It aims to empower young people by hearing real mental health stories from people like them and having a safe space to record their own story.
What will happen if my school decides to take part?
What will happen if my school decides to take part?
Schools will be asked to work with the My Story and Me team to share information about the research and how young people can take part. If anyone expresses an interest then the study time will arrange a time to visit the school to share additional information. Following this schools will be asked to put aside 45 minutes of the school day where interested young people can complete a baseline questionnaire and be introduced to the safe space sharing platform.
The ELSA Study -Early Surveillance for Type 1 diabetes
What will happen if my school decides to take part?
What will happen if my school decides to take part?
Schools will be asked to send or email study information to pupils and parents/guardians.
Those interested will be able to register and consent to take part in the study online or by post. Parents can choose either a home-testing kit or in-school testing.
Together we will arrange a date for an ELSA clinic to be held in the school.
A team of nurses will come and carry out study activities including taking the fingerstick test from children who have consented.
If schools prefer not to have in-school fingerstick tests they can just send the study information out to parents for home testing.
D-CYPHER Study - The DNA, Children and Young Poeples Health Resource
What will happen if my school decides to take part?
What will happen if my school decides to take part?
Schools will be asked to send or email study information to pupils and parents/guardians. Those interested will be able to get in touch with the study team to take part.
The study is looking to create a large bank of information that can be used to understand various health conditions and treatments for children. There are 5 steps to take part:
1) Register interest
2) Sign consent form
3) Complete questionnaire
4) Spit in a tube
5) Take part in future studies
Get in touch with the study team at: dcyphr@bioresource.nihr.ac.uk
Get in Touch
Get in Touch
For further information about the Schools Research Network, or to discuss how to become involved, please contact:
Email us at wm.rrdn@nihr.ac.uk
with the subject marked as SCHOOL
Page updated
Report abuse